What Swedish Red Cross does

Swedish Red Cross (Svenska Röda Korset) is a Sweden-based non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1865 as one of the world's first national Red Cross societies. Operating as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the organization delivers a portfolio of humanitarian services including six treatment centers for war and torture trauma survivors, healthcare referral services for undocumented migrants in Stockholm and Gothenburg, first aid training and disaster preparedness, Red Cross Houses providing food/clothing/showers to vulnerable populations, mental health support reaching 147,000 website visitors in 2024, asylum and migration advisory services, and hospital-based Red Cross Hosts across 65+ Swedish locations. Internationally, the organization maintains active humanitarian operations in Ukraine, Venezuela, Syria, and the Middle East, with historical engagements in Korea, Biafra, Ethiopia, and WWII-era rescue missions.

The organization's supporting infrastructure includes Röda Korsets Högskola (a university college with 1,000 students and 70 staff specializing in nursing), Röda Korsets folkhögskola (folk high school), Röda Korsets Ungdomsförbund (youth association), and the Rednet intranet platform for volunteer and staff coordination. Approximately 260 second-hand stores operated by local associations serve as both fundraising engines and community spaces. Distribution is purely non-digital at the service-delivery level, with digital channels (Swish 900 80 95, bankgiro 900-8004, online monthly giving, social media on Facebook/X/Instagram/YouTube/LinkedIn, quarterly Röda Korset Magasin) used primarily for fundraising and awareness.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid humanitarian funding model: more than half of the 463 million SEK collected in 2024 came from private individual donors via monthly giving, one-time gifts, membership, testamentary bequests, and stock dividends. Government grants contributed 331 million SEK in 2022, with Sida (163M SEK) as the largest single institutional donor. Capital management of legacy and real estate assets has generated over 600 million SEK in surplus directed to operations since October 2012. The organization is supervised by Svensk Insamlingskontroll under 90-konto rules and is a member of Giva Sverige. Use of funds breaks down approximately as: 48% international work, 37% national work, 11% fundraising, 4% administration.

Name

Swedish Red Cross

Legal name

Svenska Röda Korset

Website

https://rodakorset.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Swedish Red Cross (Svenska Röda Korset) is a Stockholm-based non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1865 that delivers disaster response, healthcare referral for undocumented migrants, trauma treatment, and community support services across Sweden and internationally, funded primarily by individual donations and government grants (463M SEK raised in 2024).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Community Housing Services (62422), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Refugee/Migrant Health & Resettlement Health Units (HLAJAAAJ), Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Disaster response
• First aid training
• Refugee healthcare services
• Charity second-hand retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: More than half of revenue comes from private individual donors through monthly giving, one-time gifts, membership fees, testamentary bequests, and stock dividends. The organization operates under 90-konto supervision by Svensk Insamlingskontroll.
2. Government Grants: Drygt hälften (more than half) of revenues are government grants. Sida contributes most with 163 million SEK. Also receives funding from Kultur- och Socialdepartementen, regional councils (landsting), EU, and Myndigheten för civilt försvar.
3. Second Hand Sales: Local red cross associations operate approximately 260 second hand stores and conduct their own fundraising. Local collections totaled 64 million SEK in 2022.
4. Capital Returns: Since October 2012, capital management has generated over 600 million SEK in surplus that has been directed to operations. Capital comes from previous legacies, donations, and real estate.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Swedish Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization delivering free services across Sweden and internationally, including disaster response, first aid training, treatment centers for war and torture survivors, healthcare referral for undocumented migrants, asylum and migration support, mental health resources, and a network of approximately 260 second-hand stores that fundraise for humanitarian activities. The organization is supported by private donations and government grants, with 463 million SEK collected in 2024.

Product overview

Svenska Röda Korset (Swedish Red Cross) is a humanitarian organization operating as a multi-service portfolio rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include healthcare services (treatment centers for war-injured and tortured individuals, healthcare referral services for undocumented migrants), emergency response (first aid training and disaster preparedness), social services (asylum and migration support, mental health resources), and community support (Red Cross Houses, second-hand stores, hospital volunteer hosts). Supporting educational institutions include Röda Korsets Högskola (university college for nursing), Röda Korsets Folkhögskola (folk high school), and Röda Korsets Ungdomsförbund (youth organization). Digital operations include Rednet intranet for internal coordination and Röda Korset Magasin as a quarterly publication. The organization raised 463 million SEK in 2024 through donations and operates approximately 260 second-hand stores nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Treatment Centers for War-Injured and Tortured (Behandlingscenter för krigsskadade och torterade) Multidisciplinary treatment services including psychotherapy, physiotherapy, medical consultations, and counseling for individuals suffering from trauma caused by torture, war, and severe flight experiences. Six centers across Sweden in Gothenburg, Malmö (branch Hässleholm), Skellefteå (branches Luleå, Umeå), Skövde (branch Vänersborg), and Uppsala.
• Healthcare Referral Service for Undocumented Migrants (Vårdförmedling) Free healthcare referral centers providing advice and support to undocumented migrants and other migrants regarding access to medical care in Sweden. Located in Stockholm and Gothenburg, with drop-in and appointment options, and referrals to Swedish medical facilities.
• First Aid Training and Response (Första hjälpen) First aid training courses and first aid volunteer groups that respond in crises and are present at major events. Training covers first aid skills to save lives and reduce suffering, available to both individuals and organizations.
• Second Hand Retail Stores Approximately 260 second-hand stores across Sweden operated by local associations, selling donated goods to fund humanitarian operations while providing social community spaces. Local collections from second-hand sales totaled 64 million SEK in 2022.
• Red Cross Houses (Röda Korsets hus) Open community meeting places providing basic humanitarian needs including food, clothing, showers, laundry, warmth, rest areas, and Swedish language practice. Located in multiple Swedish cities. 50,800 visits in 2024 and 76,994 food distribution occasions.
• Red Cross Hosts in Healthcare (Rödakorsvärdar i sjukvården) Volunteer hosts providing support and help to patients and visitors at hospitals, including guiding in corridors, calling for medical transport, fetching refreshments, and offering companionship. 1,300+ volunteers across 65+ hospital locations in Sweden.
• Mental Health Support (Psykisk hälsa) Mental health resources and psychosocial support including advice and tips for those experiencing anxiety, stress, and crisis. Web-based mental health resources with 147,000 visitors in 2024.
• Asylum and Migration Support (Asyl och migration) Support services for asylum seekers and migrants including family reunification advice, tracing of missing relatives, and asylum case guidance.
• Disaster Preparedness (Krisberedskap) Disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities including coordination of spontaneous volunteers and readiness for various crises, coordinated with MSB (Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency).
• International Humanitarian Operations (Vår värld) International humanitarian operations including aid in conflicts, natural disasters, infectious diseases, climate change, war laws, gender and diversity, famine, and water and sanitation. Active in Ukraine, Venezuela, Syria, and other regions. 85,000 people received healthcare in Syria in 2024.
• Red Cross University College (Röda Korsets Högskola) University college offering nursing and specialist nursing education (intensive care, infection control, psychiatric care) with a global health perspective. Located at Campus Flemingsberg in Huddinge, Stockholm, with 1,000 students and 70 employees.
• Red Cross Folk High School (Röda Korsets folkhögskola) Folk high school offering educational programs for adults.
• Red Cross Youth Association (Röda Korsets Ungdomsförbund) Youth organization engaging young people in humanitarian work and volunteering.

Quantifiable outcome

• 463 million SEK collected in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• European Union (ECHO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021EU is the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid coordinated by the European Commission's department for civil protection and humanitarian aid (ECHO). Swedish Red Cross has been awarded the EU humanitarian partnership certificate after thorough review of organizational capacity to conduct humanitarian operations under European humanitarian aid regulation (1257/96).
• Västra Götalandsregionen (Region Västra Götaland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partnership for healthcare referral services. Partnership with Rosengrenska stiftelsen and Röda Korset for Vårdförmedling Västra Götaland.
• Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MSB - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish civil defense agency providing support during major disasters and emergencies. Röda Korset coordinates spontaneous volunteers during crises.
• Rosengrenska StiftelsenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer healthcare network in Gothenburg providing care for undocumented migrants. Partners with Röda Korset at Vårdförmedling Västra Götaland.
• Giva SverigeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish trade association for fundraisers. Swedish Red Cross is a member and applies its quality code.
• Svensk InsamlingskontrollcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish fundraising control organization that supervises the 90-konto ensuring funds are used correctly and administrative costs remain within limits.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Norwegian Red Cross: Sister Nordic national society of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Directly comparable in mandate (disaster response, refugee support, healthcare referral, second hand retail), funding mix (donations + government grants), and operating scale.
• Danish Red Cross: Closest geographic peer national society operating the same integrated humanitarian portfolio: asylum seeker support, treatment for torture survivors, disaster response, and a large second hand retail network. Highly comparable funding model and service mix.
• Finnish Red Cross: Nordic sister society with comparable structure — local branches, hospital volunteers, refugee integration programs, and disaster preparedness — serving as a near-direct comparator for Swedish Red Cross operations and scale.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Sweden: Sweden-based medical humanitarian organization delivering international emergency healthcare (e.g., in Syria) and migrant/refugee health support. Comparable in fundraising scale, donor mix, and international medical humanitarian mission.
• British Red Cross: Larger European national society running a comparable integrated portfolio — refugee services, emergency response, hospital volunteers, retail network — and a useful benchmark for mature service-line scaling and fundraising diversification.
• Save the Children Sweden: Major Swedish NGO with overlapping humanitarian mandate (disaster response, refugee support, child-focused healthcare) and a similar donor-funded, government-grant-supported revenue model. Direct competitor for Swedish humanitarian donor share.
• Caritas Sweden: Swedish humanitarian and social services organization delivering refugee integration support, social assistance, and international relief. Comparable in serving undocumented migrants and asylum seekers with mixed donor/government funding.

Broad incumbents

• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): Umbrella body of all national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies including Swedish Red Cross. Comparable as the global-scale aggregator of disaster response funding and coordination; serves as both parent network and a broader incumbent.
• UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency): Global public-sector actor in refugee resettlement, legal aid, and integration support. Overlaps with Swedish Red Cross on asylum/migration support and partner-funding pathways via Sida and the UN system.

Emerging players

• SOS Children's Villages Sweden: Swedish NGO operating alternative care, family strengthening, and refugee/migrant support services. Comparable in funding model (donations + government contracts) and overlapping on vulnerable-population social services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rodakorset
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/svenskarodakorset
• Facebookfacebook.com/rodakorset
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swedish-red-cross/?originalSubdomain=se
• Instagraminstagram.com/rodakorset

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swedish Red Cross